Stoneware is a type of pottery fired to a very high temperature; above 1200-1400 degrees Celsius. The high temperature vitrifies the clay so that even in an unglazed state it is watertight. This was a big step forward as pottery fired to a lower temperature had to be thoroughly glazed to ensure it was watertight. Unglazed stoneware was made in China around 2000 years ago and was invented independently in Germany in the 13th century but its manufacture was not introduced into Britain until the early 17th century.

Stoneware is used for a variety of uses including decorative ornaments, figurines and tableware but it is obviously well suited to the transportation and storage of liquids such as beer, wine, vinegar and mineral water. As a result it was used by grocers, wine and beer dealers, brewers and landlords to store and sell their products. Not wanting to miss an opportunity to advertise themselves and their products the names and addresses of the traders were often stamped into or transferred onto the jugs and bottles.Production line showing a Victorian stoneware bottle making plant. Howev